Numero Uno foodwise on our NOLA trip was Cochon, which I told you about, but that is certainly not where the tasty food ended!

Names one of the "Top 10 Best New Chefs in America" by Food & Wine, if anyone knows food, it's John Besh, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit one of his restaurants when I was in NOLA. He and Brian Landry share their love for Louisiana seafood, which is perfectly clear when you dine at Borgne.

I know this sounds silly, and maybe it is because we were just starved, but this was the best bread and butter we ever ate! Smooooooth sweet butter with a nice warm loaf. Yes. Please.

These croquettas really blew our mind. Served with chipotle remoulade, we were fighting over the last one (#fatgirlproblems) and dipping some of that fantastic bread in the extra sauce.

The star of the show at Borgne BY FAR for me was the grilled octopus. Served over berber hummus and topped with a garlic caper confit, my taste buds were totally having a party, I had never had such large, plump, juicy pieces of octopus in my life. Nicole (one of my travel pals) and I were dreaming about this app all week... I would have been happy to have a larger portion of this as my entree. A#1FAVE.

Although the octo was perfection, this shrimp casserole was pretty bomb too. Served hot in a cast-iron skillet, this baby was fresh as can be, with a mix of red peppers, cherry tomatoes and mirliton, the textures going on here were incredible.

Nicole has the crawfish cavateli, which was creamy and wonderful (I mean, there was freakin' marscarpone cream in it!) and Amy had the Crispy Pork Shank, which she was head over heels for.

No meal on vacation is complete without dessert. We went with the strawberry fried pies, and were not disappointed. Filled with fresh strawberry and lightly fried, I paired it with a Bailey's on the rocks (yummmmo), this was a perfect end to this meal.

From beginning to end, the ingredients were fresh and the art John and Brian came though in every bite.

I am so excited that we got to dine here, and I recommend you do too. I def. hope to try another one of John Besh's restaurants when I can!

I'm feeeeeeeelin' inspired again. Come back on Friday to see what I cook up (see what I did there?).

I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I'm a vegetarian. Well, I guess I am technically a Pescetarian, because I LOVE ME SOME FISH. So, why did I want to go to a place called PIG?! Well, for one, one of my gals on the trip loves her some meat, so I gots to allow her to get-it-done, but REALLY it's because Anthony Bourdain visited it during his Layover New Orleans and it looked ace (and WAS).

We actually planned on going there on a Monday. We figured because it was Monday, it would be empty and we could just stroll in, get a perfect table and a lovely evening. GOOD THING WE CALLED TO MAKE SURE. When we called on Monday around 5 to see if they needed a rez, they informed us that they were COMPLETELY BOOKED until 9pm THE NEXT NIGHT. Whoa. Tony (yes, I refer to Anthony Bourdain as TONY now) must be right about this place.

We took the 9pm rez and anxiously awaited.

It was worth it.

Chef Link of Cochon is known for the traditional Cajun Southern dishes he grew up with. He works with local pork, fresh seafood and ingredients. Fresh. Authentic. Perfect. Just what we wanted.

We got there a little early, and it was no problemo. We actually even got a table outside (it was a fantastic evening weather wise as well!).

We snatched up a few drinks and apps immediately.

The grilled shrimp with cucumbers, peanuts, chiles & goat yogurt (for only $11!) was a perfect combination of flavors. Fresh and light, which was a great way to open a meal!

I think Nicole and Amy would agree with me that the Wood-Fired Oysters were the star of the show. These plump Louisiana Oysters, topped with a butter mixture which including Vietnamese Chili sauce, melted in your mouth. After slurping up the oyster, we literally drank the rest of the mixture, because we wouldn't imagine leaving anything behind in the shell. I would eat these every day the rest of my life if I could. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

I'm not going to lie and say I remember what was actually in this, although I did find a recipe here, which I plan on attempting, but I CAN tell you, it is one of the best things I ever put in my mouth. It was a thick stew with the most incredible catfish. This photo does not do it justice, at all (cut me some slack, it was dark and I had a few glasses of wine). My gals had some incredible things as well, but THIS was the entree winner. OMG. As I sit here, I am dreaming about it, my mouth is watering, and I contemplating buying a plane ticket to go back and get it. YUMMMMM.

ok. DESSERT. OBVS. Pineapple Upside Down cake, freakin' cornmeal cake with coconut served with lime sorbet and dulce de leche. YES, I'LL TAKE 10 PLEASE. The cake was perfectly moist. Like. Perfectly. Moist. (Did I mention I don't even like the word MOIST but I simply cannot think of another word to accurately describe this cake.) I honestly didn't even need the ice cream, but it was lovely as well.

So the summary here. GET IN MAH BELLY. I'm feeling very inspired by this meal. It was simple, yet complex. He really does stick to homestyle cajun that simply does not disappoint.

Have you ever been to NOLA and/ or eaten at Cochon? NOOOOO? I think it's time you book a trip.

ps- I was so inspired by this meal, I decided to give one of the recipes a go, and I'll be posting it this Friday, can you guess which one I gave a go?